Month: October 2016

Sunday morning and a bit of a haze over the mountainside. It is the end of Diwali (I think), so I’m expecting that the fireworks and gunshots(?) should be over today. It was like what I imagine the Wild West to have been over the past few days…lots of pretty lights but also loud sounds. Kind of feel sorry for the dogs now…

I walked down into Mcleodganj the day before yesterday. It is a beautiful, busy little town. Compared to Bhagsu where I am, about 15 minutes away, it is a thriving metropolis. I’m happy to be in the quiet part for the start of my stay, but I have booked a guest house in town for when I leave the meditation centre. Gotta have a taste of both sides of the coin. I believe I’ll be able to see the Dalai Lama’s residence from that new guest house!

Yesterday after a late breakfast, I walked up to Bhagsu Waterfall. A beautiful if somewhat strenuous walk but well worth the effort. Lots of others out doing the same thing – Indian families dressed in their finest for the holiday and visitors like me in hiking boots. Must say I didn’t envy the Indian women in their thin, strappy sandals. I forgot my camera so I’ll have to return, but I did have my picture taken for a magazine ( yeah, right). What can I say…I’m a sucker for good-looking men, and it’s nice to be asked!

There is a yoga studio about two minutes away from my room but I haven’t made it there yet. By the time I was over the effects of the travel (and what I think is a cold) it was close to Diwali and the instructor had gone home to be with his family. Maybe tomorrow.

My goal for today is to get my room cleaned. As much as I like this place, it is a tad strange in that the people who own/run the place are nowhere to be seen.

Suffered a minor electrocution in the shower this afternoon. It was my own fault, fiddling around with knobs trying to get some hot water. I should have just stuck with tradition and resigned myself to the fact that my first few showers in India are cold until someone shows me the ropes. Every system is different, so there’s no such thing as learning from experience.

My first full day in Bhagsu Nag was purposely a quiet one. I picked up a bit of a cold on one of the flights and was feeling kinda lowly this morning. Coupled with the jet lag, it was best to take it easy. Luckily, my room here at Silvermoon House is enormous, clean and comfortable. I have a small balcony which basks in sun pretty much all day, and I spent several hours there, engrossed in my book and acclimatizing and enjoying the sights and sounds of everyday life in the mountains.

Dharamshala itself is several kms down the mountain from me. Macleod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama, is about 20 minutes away, and I think I’ll take a walk in that direction tomorrow provided I’m feeling better. The road is a typical one for the mountains, narrow with deep gullies on either side for rain run-off. It is also filled with ruts, pack horses, taxis and the occasional cow. It’s incredibly steep, as I’ve found from the few strolls I’ve taken since arrival yesterday.

Lots of Tibetan people here, and Tibetan restaurants, and that means momos! I haven’t had momos in ages and there’s a street vendor at the corner who makes ’em. I’ll celebrate Diwali tomorrow with an order of the spicy ones. Speaking of food, found a good restaurant right next door which – bonus – also sells toilet paper.

One final note…the large packs of dogs that spend their days sleeping in the sunshine in this town spend their nights fighting and barking nonstop. I’m thinking of buying a gun…